Recurring Exhaust Leaks After Bolt-Ons

Los Donuts · 02-13-2018, 01:48 PM

Hi everyone, so I wanted to see if anyone has been having similar problems with this issue and if there's any solution that helped them. I added a full bolt-on setup to my Z this past December (Stillen Gen 3, ARK Grip full catback, Motordyne ART Pipes). In the same month, I had an exhaust leak coming from the downpipes so I went in and got it fixed. Now, not even 2 months later, I once again have a leak. I am assuming that it is coming from the same place. The parts are all new for the most part with no scratches or dents or anything, and the gaskets are all brand new, so I don't know why I keep getting this issue. Could it be from the bad road conditions or cold weather? Would love to hear some advice because I want to get to the bottom of this once and for all. Hate having that CEL staring into my soul.

LENTZ · 02-13-2018, 02:25 PM

I have the same problem. I have now tried 3 different brand gaskets(OEM, Z1, Generic) connecting my ART Pipes to my Z1 headers and Stillen CBE. I am going to get a tube of gasket sealer and try that next. The exhaust leak drives me nuts as well.

ZontheRocks · 02-13-2018, 03:08 PM

I purchased some gasket material from the parts store and cut my own to fit. Added gasket sealer for added prevention.

Los Donuts · 02-13-2018, 03:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LENTZ

I have the same problem. I have now tried 3 different brand gaskets(OEM, Z1, Generic) connecting my ART Pipes to my Z1 headers and Stillen CBE. I am going to get a tube of gasket sealer and try that next. The exhaust leak drives me nuts as well.

Yeah I don't know why there's such an issue between the headers and ART pipes. I mean I got my ART pipes like-new from a guy who briefly had it on his G37, but it should be the same fitment and I believe that the pipes are interchangeable between the two cars. Anyways, good luck with the gasket sealer and let me know if it works out!

Los Donuts · 02-13-2018, 03:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ZontheRocks

I purchased some gasket material from the parts store and cut my own to fit. Added gasket sealer for added prevention.

Nice not a bad route to go. How has it been holding up? I'm gonna look into that with my shop and see what we should do.

NorthStyle · 02-13-2018, 08:39 PM

I had an exhaust leak where my ART pipes met my exhaust (Fast Intention) when I used the Z1 metal gaskets. I swapped to Berk gaskets and used copper RTV and haven't had an issue since.

ZontheRocks · 02-13-2018, 09:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Los Donuts

Nice not a bad route to go. How has it been holding up? I'm gonna look into that with my shop and see what we should do.

No issues whatsoever. Probably cost less than $30 in materials and some time.

flyfish · 02-14-2018, 09:03 AM

I had the same issue after installing a FI cat back, there were leaks at the cat and mid-section, would drip water. I use some high temp copper anti-seize lube on both sides of the gaskets, no issues after a year.

Search for Permatex or Loctite copper based high temp anti-seize lube.

Jayhovah · 02-14-2018, 10:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by flyfish

I had the same issue after installing a FI cat back, there were leaks at the cat and mid-section, would drip water. I use some high temp copper anti-seize lube on both sides of the gaskets, no issues after a year.

Search for Permatex or Loctite copper based high temp anti-seize lube.

I think you want RTV for the gaskets, not anti-seize (though that is still useful for the fasteners).

Los Donuts · 02-14-2018, 05:35 PM

I'll definitely look into RTV and anti-sieze. Anything that'll solve this leak issue once and for all works for me. Wish me luck haha

LENTZ · 02-14-2018, 07:27 PM

Just ordered "Permatex 81878 Ultra Copper Maximum Temperature RTV Silicone Gasket Maker" from Amazon. Lets hope this is the magic cure I need.

Jayhovah · 02-15-2018, 09:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LENTZ

Just ordered "Permatex 81878 Ultra Copper Maximum Temperature RTV Silicone Gasket Maker" from Amazon. Lets hope this is the magic cure I need.

just make sure you follow the directions precisely. =) There is definitely a right way and wrong way to use RTV.

SG4247 · 02-15-2018, 11:50 AM

My exhaust flanges we so warped out of the box, that I took them to a machine shop and had them “straightened” on a large belt sander. They would have leaked for sure.

No leaks in over 1 year with the silver gaskets and no RTV.

Los Donuts · 02-17-2018, 04:44 PM

Hey everyone, quick update. So the check engine light turned out to be a completely separate issue, it was due to faulty O2 sensors. So I replaced those with some that are better with aftermarket bolt-ons and everything has been good with that so far. There was still a leak where the y-pipe and mid-pipe joins, which is past the spot that the sensors pick up but that's what I was hearing and feeling while driving. The leak happened because the guys helping me with the initial install used a wheel nut as a bolt. Wasn't too thrilled to hear that haha, but we got it all sorted out and used some RTV for an extra seal and it has been driving great since. I guess the lesson here is go to someone you know will do the install right from the start, or do it yourself if you have the time and know-how. I'll let you all know if anything changes!

Lvcky69 · 02-17-2018, 06:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Los Donuts

Hey everyone, quick update. So the check engine light turned out to be a completely separate issue, it was due to faulty O2 sensors. So I replaced those with some that are better with aftermarket bolt-ons and everything has been good with that so far. There was still a leak where the y-pipe and mid-pipe joins, which is past the spot that the sensors pick up but that's what I was hearing and feeling while driving. The leak happened because the guys helping me with the initial install used a wheel nut as a bolt. Wasn't too thrilled to hear that haha, but we got it all sorted out and used some RTV for an extra seal and it has been driving great since. I guess the lesson here is go to someone you know will do the install right from the start, or do it yourself if you have the time and know-how. I'll let you all know if anything changes!

how many miles does your Z have?

02-13-2018, 01:48 PM	#1 (permalink)
Los Donuts Base Member Join Date: Sep 2017 Location: New York Posts: 39 Drives: '16 370z Touring 7AT Rep Power: 8	Recurring Exhaust Leaks After Bolt-Ons Hi everyone, so I wanted to see if anyone has been having similar problems with this issue and if there's any solution that helped them. I added a full bolt-on setup to my Z this past December (Stillen Gen 3, ARK Grip full catback, Motordyne ART Pipes). In the same month, I had an exhaust leak coming from the downpipes so I went in and got it fixed. Now, not even 2 months later, I once again have a leak. I am assuming that it is coming from the same place. The parts are all new for the most part with no scratches or dents or anything, and the gaskets are all brand new, so I don't know why I keep getting this issue. Could it be from the bad road conditions or cold weather? Would love to hear some advice because I want to get to the bottom of this once and for all. Hate having that CEL staring into my soul. __________________ 2016 Black Cherry Nissan 370z Touring 7AT Stillen G3 CAI \| Armytrix Valvetronic Exhaust \| Motordyne ART Pipes \| GReddy KW Performance Coilovers \| UpRev Tuned

02-13-2018, 02:25 PM	#2 (permalink)
LENTZ Base Member Join Date: Jun 2015 Location: Maple Valley, WA Posts: 92 Drives: 2012 370Z Sport Rep Power: 10	I have the same problem. I have now tried 3 different brand gaskets(OEM, Z1, Generic) connecting my ART Pipes to my Z1 headers and Stillen CBE. I am going to get a tube of gasket sealer and try that next. The exhaust leak drives me nuts as well. ZontheRocks and Los Donuts like this.

02-13-2018, 03:08 PM	#3 (permalink)
ZontheRocks Track Member Join Date: Mar 2017 Location: Central Florida Posts: 959 Drives: 2016 Nissan PW 370Z Rep Power: 34535	I purchased some gasket material from the parts store and cut my own to fit. Added gasket sealer for added prevention. Los Donuts likes this.

02-14-2018, 09:03 AM	#8 (permalink)
flyfish Base Member Join Date: Sep 2013 Location: Morrison CO Posts: 64 Drives: '16 Sport 6m Rep Power: 12	I had the same issue after installing a FI cat back, there were leaks at the cat and mid-section, would drip water. I use some high temp copper anti-seize lube on both sides of the gaskets, no issues after a year. Search for Permatex or Loctite copper based high temp anti-seize lube. __________________ 2016 Sport 6sp Deep Blue Pearl \|\| AAM intake \|\| FI TDX non-res CF + HF-Cats \|\| TEIN MonoSport w/EFDC-II \|\| Hotchkis sways \|\| Z1 34 row oil + ps cooler + diff cover + oil pan spacer \|\| TWM Short Shifter \|\| SPL everything \|\| MA-MS diff cooler \|\| Stillen brake duct \|\| ++

02-14-2018, 05:35 PM	#10 (permalink)
Los Donuts Base Member Join Date: Sep 2017 Location: New York Posts: 39 Drives: '16 370z Touring 7AT Rep Power: 8	I'll definitely look into RTV and anti-sieze. Anything that'll solve this leak issue once and for all works for me. Wish me luck haha __________________ 2016 Black Cherry Nissan 370z Touring 7AT Stillen G3 CAI \| Armytrix Valvetronic Exhaust \| Motordyne ART Pipes \| GReddy KW Performance Coilovers \| UpRev Tuned Last edited by Los Donuts; 02-14-2018 at 05:40 PM.

02-13-2018, 08:39 PM	#6 (permalink)
NorthStyle A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Aug 2015 Location: Deutschland + SC/FL USA Posts: 1,264 Drives: 2011 370Z Nismo Rep Power: 24277	I had an exhaust leak where my ART pipes met my exhaust (Fast Intention) when I used the Z1 metal gaskets. I swapped to Berk gaskets and used copper RTV and haven't had an issue since.

02-14-2018, 07:27 PM	#11 (permalink)
LENTZ Base Member Join Date: Jun 2015 Location: Maple Valley, WA Posts: 92 Drives: 2012 370Z Sport Rep Power: 10	Just ordered "Permatex 81878 Ultra Copper Maximum Temperature RTV Silicone Gasket Maker" from Amazon. Lets hope this is the magic cure I need.

02-17-2018, 04:44 PM	#14 (permalink)
Los Donuts Base Member Join Date: Sep 2017 Location: New York Posts: 39 Drives: '16 370z Touring 7AT Rep Power: 8	Hey everyone, quick update. So the check engine light turned out to be a completely separate issue, it was due to faulty O2 sensors. So I replaced those with some that are better with aftermarket bolt-ons and everything has been good with that so far. There was still a leak where the y-pipe and mid-pipe joins, which is past the spot that the sensors pick up but that's what I was hearing and feeling while driving. The leak happened because the guys helping me with the initial install used a wheel nut as a bolt. Wasn't too thrilled to hear that haha, but we got it all sorted out and used some RTV for an extra seal and it has been driving great since. I guess the lesson here is go to someone you know will do the install right from the start, or do it yourself if you have the time and know-how. I'll let you all know if anything changes! Streetlife and ZontheRocks like this. __________________ 2016 Black Cherry Nissan 370z Touring 7AT Stillen G3 CAI \| Armytrix Valvetronic Exhaust \| Motordyne ART Pipes \| GReddy KW Performance Coilovers \| UpRev Tuned

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